Repair and anchorage of telegraph poles and the like



May 5, 1936. B. M MAHON 2,040,010

A REPAIR AND ANCHORAGE OF TELEGRAPH POLES AND THE LIKE Filed June 18, 1935 Y Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Bernard McMahon, Malvern, Victoria, Australia Application June 18, 1935, Serial No. 27,260 In Australia February 1'7, 1934 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the anchoring of poles 'or masts in the ground, and refers more particularly to telegraph poles, electric supply wire or cable supporting poles and the like. In use such poles frequently become defective at or near ground level with the result that they lose their stability and are unfit for continued use although the upper or main portions of the poles are perfectly sound. When telegraph and like poles become so affected it has been the general practice to erect a new pole alongside the original pole, to detach the usual cross arms and insulators to which the wires are connected from the original pole and apply them to the newly erected pole, and to subsequently cut down or otherwise remove the original pole. A considerable amount of labour and time is required for such operations-and it is usually difficult, in many cases impossible, to efiect the transfer of the cross arms, insulators and wires from the originalto the new pole without interrupting the telegraphic service or the transmission of electricity as the case may be.

A further disadvantage of such procedure lies in the expense of providing new or replacement poles and transporting them to the site of use.

I have foundthat the foregoing and other disadvantages can be eliminated by the provision of a method and means whereby the defective lower or base portion of a pole embedded in the ground may be severed from the remaining upper or main portion and replaced by a base structure or anchoring device to which the main portion is rigidly coupled, the main portion of the pole with its attached cross arms, insulators and wires being supported, in normal position during the removal of the lower portion and placement of the base structure, so that the repair is readily effected without detaching orin any way interfering with the cross arms, insulators and wires and without causing or requiring any interruption in the telegraphic service or the transmission of electric current.

According to a preferred form of the method, atemporary support is erected adjacent a pole to be repaired and the pole is then cut transversely at an appropriatepoint above ground level to thereby sever the defective lower or butt portion from the-sound upper or main portion which, together with the cross arms, insulators and. wires connected thereto is maintained suspended in its normal or a slightly raised position by the temporary support. The lower or butt portion is then extracted from the ground, a base structure is inserted in its place and the lower end of the suspended main portion'of the pole is rigidly connected to the base structure. The temporary support for suspending the main portion of the pole during the repair is then removed.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention overcomes the present necessity of ,5 transferring the cross arms, insulators and wires from one pole to another and enables the poles to be repaired in situ in a minimum of time and with a minimum of labour. The base structures will last practically indefinitely and as they afford 10 ample protection to the lower ends of the main portions of the poles the necessity for any further repair is not likely to arise.

As wil be hereinafter apparent base structures or anchoring devices as previously mentioned may be employed when initially erecting poles for establishing new lines of telegraphic communication or electricity supply. In such event the poles will not be likely to require repair as the vulnerable parts will be adequately protected by the base structures or anchoring devices.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and carried into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a telegraph pole and appurtenances in situ showing the pole severed at a comparatively short distance above ground level and the upper or main body portion of the pole suspended together with its attached cross arms, insulators and wires in normal position awaiting the removal of the submerged butt portion and the placement of a base structure or anchoring device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1 in which certain parts of the temporary support for the suspension of the pole are broken away or omitted for convenience of illustration.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary part sectional view on a larger scale showing a base structure or anchoring device inserted, in vertical alignment with the suspended main body of the pole in the cavity previously occupied by the butt portion of the pole. 45

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing an adjustable sleeve of the base structure raised to accommodate the lower end of the suspended pole and'made fast thereto.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the parts in external elevation and the cavity for the base structure filled in as at the completion of the repair or the initial erection of a pole with a base structure of the invention.

Figures 6 and 7 are cross sectional views taken respectively on the lines VIVI Figure 3, and VII-VII Figure 4.

When repairing a pole having a defective lower or butt portion provision is made for suspending the main portion of the pole and its appurtenances after the pole has been cut transversely at an appropriate point above ground level. For this purpose two saplings, posts or the like 2 may be erected at opposite sides of the pole 3 and be braced at their upper ends by a cross bar 4 and guy ropes 6. One or more sets of pulley blocks 1 may be shackled to the cross bar 4 and the upper of the usual cross arms 8 attached to the pole 3. The numerals 9, H denote the usual combiners and braces for stabilizing the cross arms.

The pulley blocks are operated to exert tension or pull in an upward direction upon the pole, and the free ends of the tackle may be secured to the uprights 2 to maintain a desirable tension which will facilitate the sawing of the pole to separate the defective butt portion 3a thereof from the main body portion or pole proper 3. When the pole has been sawn as indicated at l2 in Figures 1 and 2, it will be evident that the pole proper, together with its attached cross arms 8, the insulators l3 on the arms and the wires i4 connected to the insulators, will remain suspended in its original or a slightly raised position.

The defective butt portion 3a of the pole is now dug out or otherwise removed from the ground and in its place is inserted a base structure or anchoring device which, as seen in Figures 3 to 7, advantageously comprises a metal pillar l6 which is preferably hollow and provided at its lower end with a sole plate I! and vertical ribs IS, in order to increase the bearing surface and thus ensure stability of the structure when embedded in'the ground. Means for rigidly connecting the lower end of the suspended pole to the base structure preferably comprise a collar or coupling sleeve l9 adapted to closely embrace adjacent portions of the pole 3 and the pillar Hi. This sleeve may be vertically adjustable upon the pillar l6 and when the base structure is being inserted into the excavation l5 may be lowered as in Figure 3 so that its upper end is approximately flush with, or in any case does not projectmaterially above, the upper edge 'of the pillar. After the base structure has been positioned in the excavation, the coupling sleeve is raised as in Figures 4 and 5 so that its upper end portion closely embraces the lower portion 3b of the suspended pole which if it has been raised by the suspending meansmay be lowered by easing the tackle of the pulley blocks. Bolts 2| "are then passed through the upper portion of sleeve I 9 and the portion 3b of the pole. The lower part of the sleeve encircles the upper end of the pillar and extends below ground level so as to became embedded in the ground when the excavation i5 is filled in as seen in Figure 5.

The pillar l6 of the base structure may be provided at its upper end with a metal closing disc 22 welded in position, and with a wooden plug or pad 23 forming a compressible seating for the lower extremity of the pole 3 which by its 'own weight may bed slightly into the pad.

The portion 3b of the pole to be accommodated within the sleeve I9 is preferably trimmed or I dressed to reduced diameter so that the resulting shoulder or drip edge 3c overhangs the external surface of the sleeve in order to prevent rain or moisture from gaining access to the interior of the sleeve. The trimming or dressing of the pole as aforesaid should preferably be effected before the pole is sawn through to separate the butt portion from the pole proper.

Before a repair is effected the internal surface of the sleeve I9 may be coated or treated with oil, grease or other rust preventing and protective substance, while the portion 3b may be painted, impregnated, bandaged or otherwise treated with substances for resisting attack by wood destroying fungi or termites. Furthermore; at any desired period after the repair has been effected the bolts 2| may be removed and the sleeve l9 lowered to permit further protective treatment to portion 3b of the pole if that is found necessary.

Although the invention has been devised primarily for the repair of defective poles or the like, it will be evident that base structures and coupling sleeves as beforementioned may be employed when initially erecting poles for the establishment of new lines of communication. In

such event, the lower end of each new pole may be connected by a coupling sleeve to a base structure either before or after the latter has been positioned within an excavation in the ground.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A method of repairing telegraph poles and the like in situ, which comprises trimming the lower portion of the pole to form a cylindrical section of reduced diameter, separating the defective lower end or butt portion 01 the pole while it is embedded in the ground from the upper or main body portion, supporting said main body portion with the usual appurtenances and wires connected thereto in a normal or slightly raised position, and while said body portion is so supported removing the defective butt portion from its cavity in the ground, positioning in said cavity a base structure provided with a cylindrical pillar of a diameter equal to the diameter of the reduced section of the pole and surrounded by a sleeve having an external diameter less than the original diameter of the pole, sliding said sleeve up around said reduced section of the pole until the upper end of the sleeve abuts the shoulder formed by trimming the lower portion of the pole, and rigidly connecting the lower end of the body portion of the pole to the said sleeve.

2. A method of repairing telegraph poles and the like in situ, which comprises erecting a temporary support for a pole to be repaired, trimming the lower portion of the pole to form a cylindrical section of reduced diameter, cutting the pole transversely through said section of reduced diameter at a comparatively short distance above ground level so that the defective lower end or butt portion of the pole is severed from the upper or main body portion and the latter with the usual appurtenances and wires connected thereto is suspended'by said temporary support in a normal or slightly raised position, and while the said body portion is so suspended, removing the defective butt portion from its cavity in the ground, placing in said cavity a base structure provided with a pillar surrounded by a sliding sleeve, sliding said sleeve up to embrace the trimmed portion of said pole, and rigidly connecting the lower end of the suspended body portion to said base sleeve.

3. Apparatus for repairing telegraph poles and the like in situ after the lower portion of the pole has been trimmed to a reduced diameter, comprising a temporary support for erection adjacent a pole to be repaired and adapted, upon the pole being cut through transversely to separate the brace the reduced lower end portion of the main defective butt portion thereof from the main body of the pole.

body portion, to suspend the said main body por- 6. Apparatus for repairing telegraph poles and tion together with the usual appurtenances and the like as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said wires connected thereto in a normal or slightly pillar is provided at its upper end with a comraised position, and an anchoring device for repressible pad or seating for the lower extremity placing the defective butt portion, said anchoring of the main body of the pole.

device comprising a pillar for insertion in the '7. A method of repairing telegraph poles and cavity previously occupied by the defective butt the like in situ, which comprises erecting a temportion so as to extend in vertical alignment beporary support for a pole to be repaired, trimneath the suspended main body of the pole, a ming the lower portion of the pole to form a cylinsleeve having an internal diameter equal to the drical section of reduced diameter, cutting the diameter of the trimmed portion of the pole, an pole transversely through said section of reduced external diameter less than the diameter of the diameter at a comparatively short distance above untrimmed portion of the pole and adapted to ground level so that the defective lower end or closely embrace adjacent end portions of said butt portion of the pole is severed from the upper pillar and said reduced portion of the pole, and or main body portion and the latter with the usual means for securing said sleeve to said main body appurtenances and wi connected h r t i of the pole. suspended by said temporary support in a normal 4. Apparatus for repairing telegraph poles and or slightly raised position, and while the said body the like as claimed in claim 3, in which said temport is so s p d d, removing the defective porary support comprises upright members of a, butt portion from its cavity in the ground, placheight greater than the pole to be repaired, an ing in Said Cavity a base Structure p d w overhead supporting member connecting the tops a pillar su d y a Sliding device, Sliding s of the upright members, and hoisting gear adaptsleeve up to embrace the trimmed portion of said ed to extend between said supporting member and pole, rigidly connecting the lower end of the susthe pole or one of the usual cross arms thereof. pended body P01171011 t0 Said base Sleeve, and p- 5. Apparatus for repairing telegraph poles and p y tension lifting effort to the D Wherethe like as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sleeve by t e act of sawing the pole to sever the butt is vertically adjustable upon said pillar so that portion from the main y is facilitated, and

the sleeve may be lowered to bring its upper edge whereby the ma y is automatically u pendapproximately flush with the upper edge of the ed p c mp e i n of the s wing operation; pillar when positioning the anchoring device in the ground and. may thereafter be raised to em- BERNARD McMAHON. 

